Gene Edwin Komenda, 77, of Polson 'went to the Lord' on Friday, April 21, 2006, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.

He was born in Hettinger, N.D., on April 24, 1928, to Joseph J. and Josephine (Hagg) Komenda, both now deceased.

He is survived by his wife, Julia, at their home in Polson; a son, Joseph G. and Janelle Komenda of Tacoma, Wash.; and also by five stepchildren, Bill and Marilyn Pittsley of Polson, Richard and Kathy Pittsley of Billings, Dave and Jean Pittsley of Kila, Cliff and Debbie Pittsley of Pablo, and Charlene Pittsley and Aaron Owenby of Longview, Wash.; 15 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

He attended school in Kila and high school in Kalispell, and attended college for two years in Bozeman. He worked at several local lumber mills and worked as a heavy construction carpenter on Libby Dam; he loved the work on the dam. He served 20 years in the Army National Guard and retired as a sergeant first class.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 28, in the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, in the Grogan Funeral Home, with the Rev. Rudy Ringhoff officiating. Interment with military honors will be at 2 p.m. in Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell.